Difference between the Juno Gi and the VR-09

PilotSam wrote:

Newbie question. I see the VR-09 a a newer update to the Juno Gi. Am I wrong? They both seem to do the same thing, but the VR-09 is brand new. I haven't decided which one would suit me best (and would like the forums thoughts on that), but Sweetwater, Musicians Friend and the other instrument shopping sights have the two keyboards st at the identical price. What do you think?

No... they are completely different boards although sharing "DNA".

Not following its line after Juno-G and Juno-Di, both 16 Part Multitimbral synths, Juno-Gi is the first Roland synth featuring the 4 part LiveSet concept, then expanded to JP-80/50...
It shares lots of Tones from it's predecessors and it has a full feature AUDIO Digital Multitrack Recorder built in, increasing its flexibility, specially on the Effect section.

VR-09, on the other hand is a cut down and more affordable version of the VR-700 Combo Organ, with 3 main sections: Piano, Organ and Synth. It has a WAV/MP3/AIFF Player /Recorder, suitable for quick takes or Backing Tracks.
Again, it inherits almos all its tones from the predecessors but it has 3 distinct sections, and the way that is being marketed, it seems more a Organ with other features, like all the VR line.

All depend on what you are up to, and what you really need for your music.

I also regard the two instruments as very different. The Juno Gi is much more versatile in terms of sounds, it has about 800-1000 patches/tones, whereas the VR-09 only has about 200, which probably cannot be edited to the same extent as in the Juno Gi. The VR's live operation concept is more focused on organ and on simplicity and readiness of sounds instead of individualizing them by editing.

specialplant wrote:

I also regard the two instruments as very different. The Juno Gi is much more versatile in terms of sounds, it has about 800-1000 patches/tones, whereas the VR-09 only has about 200, which probably cannot be edited to the same extent as in the Juno Gi. The VR's live operation concept is more focused on organ and on simplicity and readiness of sounds instead of individualizing them by editing.

Agree, THAT is a big difference (I forgot the most important one...the number of available Patches, bah)

Thank you all for your input.

PauloF wrote:

it has about 800-1000 patches/tones, whereas the VR-09 only has about 200, which probably cannot be edited to the same extent as in the Juno Gi.

I cannot let this go.
The Juno Gi is a ROMpler which means it is based on a bank of 1300 samples and you can edit the filters.
The VR-09 has 200 samples, they are as editable as on the Juno Gi, AND it has a fully featured virtual analog synth engine. Which means it is more than a bank. It is a source. It is a true instrument.

It is correct to say you shouldn't compare these keyboards because they have different features for different uses.

The VR-09 has no arpeggiator. The idea with this keyboard is to play the keys and loop them (each loop layer are 20 seconds max, in stereo). It's far from a workstation as you're never going to record a song in the keyboard. It's made for good keyboardists who want an organ and a VA synth and the bonus are the pianos (which sounds good but a piano keybed isn't a synth keybed) and the drums. it's made for live performances.

The Juno-Gi is not a fully featured workstation but it gets closer. It is an audio recorder. You can make a full song and you can record external instruments. You cannot use midi tracks (unlike the Juno-G). It is packed with tons of features but on the source of the sound, as stated before, it is sample based.

You're not going to work with one the same way as with the other. That's what you have to think when it's time to choose. Both sound good in the end.